Regulations for Flowing Waters

Regulations in this section are those that differ from statewide regulations.

Arkansas River

(and connecting waters accessible by boat): Game fish may be snagged only from the bank within 100 yards below a lock or dam or from a boat between 100 yards below a lock and dam and the downstream entrance point of a lock structure. Trotlines may not be used from a lock and dam downstream to the nearest arrival point navigation marker. Striped and hybrid bass combined daily limit is 10. Ten channel catfish under 16 inches long may be taken in addition to the daily limit.

• Arkansas River : Hogging and noodling season is from June 1 to October 31.
• Arkansas River (including the ArkansasPostCanal from Lock No. 1 to the Arkansas River) including lakes, bays and tributary streams accessible by boat from the Oklahoma state line to Dam No. 2: Largemouth bass shorter than 15 inches must be released immediately. The regulated reaches do not include Big Bayou Meto upstream from Highway 11; Plum Bayou upstream from Highway 79; Little Maumelle River upstream from Pinnacle Mountain State Park; Maumelle River upstream from Lake Maumelle Dam; Fourche LaFave upstream from Highway 113; Palarm Creek upstream from I-40; Cadron Creek upstream from the weir; Point Remove Creek upstream from Highway 113; Petit Jean River upstream from Pontoon Boat Ramp at Highway 154; Illinois Bayou upstream from the Russellville Waterworks; Big Piney and Little Piney Creeks upstream from Highway 359; Horsehead Creek upstream from Interstate 40; Mulberry River upstream from I-40; Frog Bayou upstream from Highway 162; Lee Creek upstream from Lee Creek Dam.
• Gar Creek Landing (FranklinCounty): Handicapped accessible fishing pier is available.
• From 100 yards below Dardanelle Dam to Highway 7: Open to fishing with rod or pole only (scaled rough fish may be taken by bowfishing or gigging during open season).
• From 100 yards below Dam No. 2 to the mouth of Morgan Cutoff: Open to fishing with rod or pole only (scaled rough fish may be taken by bowfishing or gigging during open season).
• From 100 yards below Dam No. 2 to the boat launching ramp immediately below the dam: Snagging game fish is legal while fishing from a boat.
• From 100 yards below any dam and within the outlet channels of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative at Barling and the Murray Hydroelectric Plant at North Little Rock: Fishing is limited to a single hand-held rod or pole, to taking scaled rough fish with bow and arrow or to taking shad with a hand-held dip net for personal use.
• In the Arkansas and White River Navigational Canal between Dam No. 1 (Norrell Dam) and the lower guardwall of the dam: Vessels may not be operated except when the tailwater elevation exceeds 104 msl and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signs are covered.

Bayou Meto, upstream from Highway 13: Do not eat fish (dioxin contamination).

Big Spring : (in Cotter, at the AGFC access to the White River) from its source to the confluence with the White River, unless otherwise specified. Catch-and-release area. Trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole, and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish. Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset. Only youths under age 16, accompanied by an adult, and disabled anglers may fish on Big Spring.

• Adult disabled anglers must carry proof that they are 100% permanently and totally disabled and possess a valid AGFC sport fishing, lifetime fishing, or combination hunting and fishing license, plus a valid trout permit.
• No fishing in the “swimming hole” at the upstream end of Big Spring, as indicated by signs.
• No motorized boats are allowed in Big Spring.
• Fishing Derbies must be requested, and permitted in writing by AGFC District 2 Fisheries Biologist, and can include fishing with natural or scented baits, and harvest of trout.

Crooked Creek (Ozark Zone Blue Ribbon Stream): Except where noted below, smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 14 inches long to keep.

• Along the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation property near Kelley’s Slab: Smallmouth bass must be released immediately.
• Between the Highway 62/412 Bridge and the Highway 62 Spur Bridge: Smallmouth bass daily limit is one and it must be at least 18 inches long to keep.
• From Highway 101 Bridge downstream to the White River: Smallmouth bass daily limit is one and it must be at least 18 inches long to keep.

Dorcheat Bayou, Nevada County to Louisiana border: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, women who are breast-feeding, and children under age seven should not eat fish from this body of water because of mercury contamination. Others should not eat largemouth bass longer than 16 inches and no more than two meals per month of pickerel, catfish, crappie, gar, bowfin, or largemouth bass (shorter than 16 inches). Other fish may be eaten without restriction. For more information on mercury contamination, click here.

 

Fourche La Fave River, from 100 yards below Nimrod Dam to the Highway 7 Bridge: Open to fishing with rod or pole only (scaled rough fish may be taken by bowfishing or gigging during open season).

• From Nimrod Dam to the South Fourche: Do not eat more than two meals per month of largemouth bass longer than 16 inches because of mercury contamination. Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, women who are breast-feeding, and children under age seven should not eat largemouth bass longer than 16 inches. Other fish may be eaten without restriction. For more information on mercury contamination, click here.
• From Highway 113 to the Arkansas River: Largemouth bass shorter than 15 inches must be released immediately.

Kings River (Ozark Zone Quality Stream): Except where noted below, smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 14 inches long to keep.

• From Trigger Gap to Highway 62 Bridge: Smallmouth bass daily limit is one and it must be at least 18 inches long to keep.

• From Lake Greeson (Narrows) Dam to Ouachita River: Smallmouth bass daily limit is one and must be 18 inches or longer to keep.
• Narrows Tailwater: From 100 yards below LakeGreeson (Narrows Dam) to Hwy 27 Bridge. Daily limit is 5 trout. Anglers may use no more than two fishing rods or poles and must attend them at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish.
• Narrows Tailwater experimental brown trout catch and release: Any brown trout caught in Narrows Tailwater must be released immediately.
• Narrows Tailwater Special Regulation Areas: In the following areas, trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed.
  • Narrows Catch-and-Release Area: 100 yards below Lake Greeson (Narrows Dam) to the upstream end of Riverside Park.
  • Narrows Summer Catch-and-Release Area: Upstream end of Riverside Park to the gas line crossing above River Ridge pool. May 1 through October 15th.
  • Narrows Winter Catch-and-Release Area: Approximately 300 yards downstream of Hinds Bluff Access to approximately 300 yards upstream of Old Factory Site (Weir #2). October 16 through April 30.

• Greers Ferry Tailwater: From 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam to the Highway 305 bridge: A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish.
• Greers Ferry Tailwater Slot limit: From 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam to the Hwy 305 Bridge. Daily limit of five trout. Trout from 16 to 24 inches must be released immediately and may not be in possession in this area. Only one trout exceeding 24 inches may be kept.
• Greers Ferry Tailwater Special Regulation Areas: In the following areas, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed. The same slot limit harvest restrictions for Greers Ferry Tailwater apply in these areas unless otherwise noted. \
• JFK Special Regulation Area: 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam downstream to the last hatchery outlet
  pipe in Kennedy Park.
• Mossy Shoals Special Regulation Area: Upstream end of Dunham Shoals to downstream end of Mossy Shoals.
• Cow Shoals Seasonal Catch-and-Release Area: October 1 through December 31. Head of Cow Shoals
  to mouth of Canoe Creek. All trout must be released immediately. Closed to night fishing (one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

• At Pinnacle Mountain State Park: Handicapped accessible fishing pier is available.

Mulberry River (Boston Mountain Zone Quality Stream): Smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 12 inches long to keep.

• From I-40 to the Arkansas River: Largemouth bass shorter than 15 inches must be released immediately.

• Norfork Tailwater, from 100 yards below Norfork Dam to White River: Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish. A trout permit is required. Chains or other objects capable of destroying aquatic vegetation may not be dragged.
• Norfork Catch-and-Release Area: From Otter Creek to 100 yards above Bill Ackerman/River Ridge Access: Catch-and-release area. Trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed.
• At River Ridge Park: Handicapped accessible fishing pier is available.

Ouachita River, South Fork (Ouachita Zone Quality Stream): Except where noted below, smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 12 inches long to keep.

• Upstream from River Bluff Access (Ouachita Zone Quality Stream): Smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 12 inches long to keep.
• Upstream from the mouth of the Little Missouri River: Hogging and Noodling are not allowed.
• From Remmel Dam to the confluence of the Little Missouri River: Flathead catfish must be 20 inches or longer to keep.
• Downstream from River Bluff Access to the Blakely Mountain Dam: Smallmouth bass must be released immediately.
• Downstream from Remmel Dam: Smallmouth bass must be at least 12 inches or longer to keep. Daily Limit of two.
• Within 100 yards below Carpenter Dam (Lake Hamilton): Personal flotation devices must be worn by every boater in this reach. Boaters must exit this area immediately when the siren sounds before hydropower generation.
• Within 100 yards below Remmel Dam (Lake Catherine): Personal flotation devices must be worn by every boater in this reach. Boaters must exit this area immediately when the siren sounds before hydropower generation.
• Oxbow lakes, backwaters, overflow lakes and borrow ditches between Camden and the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge border: Anglers should not eat largemouth bass, flathead catfish, pickerel, gar or bowfin because of mercury contamination. Other fish may be eaten without restriction. For more information on mercury contamination, click here.

Ouachita River , Within Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, women who are breast-feeding, and children under the age of seven should not eat flathead or blue catfish, pickerel, gar, bowfin, drum, largemouth bass (13 inches or longer) or other species of bass because of mercury contamination. Others should not eat flathead catfish, gar, bowfin, drum, pickerel or largemouth bass (over 16 inches long) or other species of bass and should not eat more than two meals per month of largemouth bass (13 inches to 16 inches long) or blue catfish. Other fish may be eaten without restriction. For more information on mercury contamination, click here.

Saline River, including its four headwater forks (Ouachita Zone Quality Stream): Smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 12 inches long to keep.

• At Lyle Park: Handicapped accessible fishing pier is available.
• From Highway 79 (Cleveland County) to Stillion Bridge: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, women who are breast-feeding, and children under the age of seven should not eat flathead or blue catfish, gar, bowfin, drum, pickerel, largemouth bass (13 inches or longer) or redhorse (20 inches or longer) because of mercury contamination. Others should not eat blue or flathead catfish, gar, bowfin, drum, pickerel, largemouth bass (over 16 inches long) or redhorse (20 inches or longer) and should not eat more than two meals per month of largemouth bass (13 inches to 16 inches long). Other fish may be eaten without restriction. For more information on mercury contamination, click here.
• From Stillion Bridge to the Ouachita River: Pregnant women, women who may become pregnant, women who are breast-feeding, and children under the age of seven should not eat flathead or blue catfish, pickerel, gar, bowfin, drum, largemouth bass (13 inches or longer) or other species of bass because of mercury contamination. Others should not eat flathead catfish, gar, bowfin, drum, pickerel or largemouth bass (over 16 inches long) or other species of bass and should not eat more than two meals per month of largemouth bass (13 inches to 16 inches long) or blue catfish. Other fish may be eaten without restriction. For more information on mercury contamination, click here.

Spring River (Ozark Zone Quality Stream): Smallmouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 14 inches long to keep.

From 100 yards below Dam No.1 at Mammoth Spring State Park to the mouth of Myatt Creek: Anglers may use no more than two fishing rods and must attend them at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish.

• Beaver Tailwater: White River from 100 yards below Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish other than as specified for the paddlefish-snagging season.
• Beaver Tailwater Slot Limit: From Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. Daily limit of five trout. Trout from 13 to 16 inches in length must be released immediately and may not be in possession in this area. Only one fish exceeding 16 inches long may be kept. Bait fishing allowed only with a single, barbless hooking point (barbed-shaft baitholder hooks allowed).
• Special Regulation Area: Artificial lures only area/no bait zone. Approximately 0.5 miles below Beaver Dam to approximately 100 yards upstream of Parker Bend Access as indicated by signs. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are not allowed. Chumming is not allowed.
• Paddlefish Snagging Season: From Beaver Lake Dam, (from the Corps of Engineers “No Fishing Beyond This Point” sign downstream) to the first Corps boat ramp on the left descending bank: From April 15 to June 15, snagging game fish is legal. Snagging must be discontinued once two trout have been taken. Snagged fish may not be released.
• From Bull Shoals Dam to 100 yards downstream: Fishing is not allowed.
• Bull Shoals Tailwater: From 100 yards below Bulls Shoals Dam to Highway 58 Bridge at Guion: A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish.
• Bull Shoals Catch-and-Release Areas

In the following areas, trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point or a single barbless treble hook may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed:

1) Bull Shoals Catch-and-Release Area: From 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to

the upstream boundary of Bull Shoals White River State Park: Catch-and-release from February 1 until October 31.
Closed to fishing from November 1 to January 31 downstream to the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State Park Trout Dock;

2) Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout Catch-and-Release Area: From the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State Park trout dock to the downstream boundary of the park: Seasonal catch-and-release area for brown trout from November 1 through January 31. Brown trout must be released immediately. No fishing from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

In the following areas, trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed:

3) Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release Area: (near Cotter) from mouth of Jenkins Creek to the first electric power line downstream;

4) Monkey Island Catch-and-Release Area:

From the upstream end of Monkey Island to Moccasin Creek;

5) Sylamore Catch-and-Release Area: Between the upstream and downstream boundary signs as posted by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission near the Mt. Olive Access and near Jack’s Resort.

• Within 1,500 feet in any direction of the confluence of LaGrue Bayou and White River: Water skiing is not allowed.
• Bay Town/Indian Bay area: Water skiing is not allowed where signs are posted.
• In the Arkansas and White River Navigational Canal between Dam No. 1 (Norrell Dam) and the lower guardwall of the dam: Vessels may not be operated except when the tailwater elevation exceeds 104 msl and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signs are covered.  

 

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